"A Father's Day Gift No One Killed" in Overturned Nutley Fire Truck Accident

By JOHN LEE

June 18, 2017 at 8:35 PM

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River BridgeNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River Bridge Credits: Rory Moore

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River BridgeNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River Bridge Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River BridgeNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River Bridge Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River BridgeNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Third River Bridge Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in NutleyNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in Nutley Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in NutleyNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in Nutley Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in NutleyNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in Nutley Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

Nutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in NutleyNutley Fire Truck Overturns on Chestnut Street Bridge over Third River in Nutley Credits: John Lee / TAPinto.net

By JOHN LEE

June 18, 2017 at 8:35 PM

NUTLEY, NJ - Nutley Commissioner Alphonse Petracco said "It is a Father's Day gift that no one was killed" in Saturday night's accident that left a fire truck on its side and sent firefighters to the hospital.

At approximately 9:45 p.m on Saturday June 17, Nutley firefighters were responding to a call of a carbon monoxide detector activator in a Nutley residence. The ladder truck struck the Chestnut Street bridge hitting both the concrete walls and metal railings before coming to rest on its side.

The railing, which is several inches around, pierced the cab of the truck and went completely through. "Thank God," said Petracco, "He was really looking out for our men." The injuries could have been much worse, :"It is a Father's Day gift no one was killed."

(The first photo above, taken from in front of the cab, shows the railing piercing the cab.)

Citing medical privacy laws Petracco could not give specific details about the nature of the injuries, but was able to tell TAPinto Nutley that he did visit the firefighters that were taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson. He added that two of the firefighters were released from the hospital.

Petracco stated that Nutley had three major fires in the last few months in town "The events of last night are another example of how dangerous these jobs are" in the police and fire departments.

The truck involved in Saturday's accident has been in service in Nutley for about 20 years according to Petracco and was due to replaced soon. The Board of Commissioners have been allocating funds for some time specifically to replace this particular truck.Funds are put into capital reserve for specific things like fire equipment so that the township is not burdened with coming up with the lump sum for a new vehicle.That said, the truck is insured. .

On Sunday morning, the bridge was reopened to traffic and pedestrians. The sidewalk on the side of the bridge that was struck remains closed.

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